Re: pH

[Frauley/Elson <fraulels@minet.ca>]

William M. Groth wrote:
> 
> I would recommend using peat to lower the pH or possibly the Waters of the
> World which is made for South America.  Be very careful when lowering the pH
> of very soft water as it may not have adequate buffers to maintain the pH that
> you want.
 Hi all, 
	I've tried "waters of the world" in its West African form. In already
soft water (60 ppm, neutral pH), it seemed extremely unstable. I
followed the instructions and lost a tank of healthy N transvestitus (a
coincidence, maybe but). I'd say proceed with caution, as I should have.
	I suggest peat, but it frankly depends on what your local water is
like. Mine's good at 7.4, 130ppm, but it's buffered to the eyeballs. pH
down works for an hour or two, then back it goes. I suggest careful
experimentation with your local conditions first. 
	A killie friend of mine keeps a very large blue plastic drum in his
back porch. He puts a bale of peat into it every blue moon and fills it
with water. It's his water source, which he replenishes by topping up.
It seems to work very well, reducing hardness and acidifying. He's
breeding really difficult stuff. It seems a variation on Wright's
suggestion.
	-Gary